UPDATE 1-Colombia's Santos sees GDP growth of 4.3-4.5 pct in 2015

VERACRUZ, Mexico Dec 9 (Reuters) - Colombia's economy will
likely grow between 4.3 percent and 4.5 percent next year,
President Juan Manuel Santos said during an international
conference in Mexico on Tuesday, a rate below the government's
forecast for a 4.8 percent expansion.

Falling oil prices have dampened growth prospects for
Colombia, Latin America's fourth biggest oil producer and may
also eat into public spending, the country's finance minister
said on Saturday.

"Next year we will see growth which according to forecasts
will be quite acceptable given what is happening in the region
and the world," Santos said. "The calculation is that it could
be 4.3, 4.4 or 4.5 percent," he added.

Analysts expect Colombia's fiscal and current account
deficits to widen in 2015 as lower oil earnings push the country
to issue more debt internationally. The government has estimated
a 4.7 percent expansion for this year.
(Reporting by Anahi Rama and Alexandra Alper Editing by W
Simon)